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The Watch Conducts Grazing Program
Over
300 sheep and goats from Star Creek Ranch in Aromas recently joined
Watsonville Wetlands Watch in its grassland and slough restoration
efforts.
On June 13th, WWW hosted a morning walk and
tour of this inspiring project to demonstrate the positive impacts
these animals are having on the grassland and wildlife habitat. Read more.... |
Introduction to Nature Photography
 On
Saturday, Sept. 12, WWW is offering a workshop, "Introduction to
Digital Nature Photography," led by award-winning nature photographer
and interpreter Jeff Barnes. This one-day workshop, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at
the WERC, is for the nature lover who looks to improve his or her
photographic skills.
The day will provide discussion time as
well as opportunities to practice new techniques in the field. The cost
is $75, and space is limited. For more information, click to email Kathy Fieberling or call her at 345-1226.
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Biodiversity Monitoring Program
 The
Wetlands Biodiversity Monitoring Program (WBMP) brings together
students and scientists to collect data, observe, and perform citizen
science in the wetlands of the Pajaro Valley.
Recently we have
partnered with Shennan Labs of UCSC to provide a water quality analysis
component to our program through a National Fish & Wildlife
Foundation grant. To learn more about WBMP, click here. |
Upcoming Wetlands Alive! Tours
 The last two Wetlands Alive! Tours of the season are September 13th and 19th at 10 a.m. Bring
your friends and join us on a fun, family-oriented tour of the wetlands
and our Educational Resource Center (the Fitz WERC; meet at the WERC).
For more information, driving directions, and maps, click here. Tours are free, but please call the WERC at 728-1156, ext. 7, by Friday noon to reserve a place. |
Ashley Ciglar:
Restoration Team Volunteer
 Ashley
has been volunteering for WWW since her junior year of high school at
St. Francis Central Coast. She joined the ecology club there, found out
about our restoration events, and decided to volunteer to gain service
hours.
Now Ashley is using what she learned as a WWW volunteer
in the Solar Decathlon sponsored by the U.S. Dept. of Energy, and is
flying to Washington, D.C. to compete. Read more.... |
Next Restoration Saturday
Sept 26th from 9 to noon
 The
next Restoration Saturday is Sept. 26th from 9 to noon. Come join other
volunteers and be a part of the restoration at this site. We
will meet at 9 a.m. at the Fitz WERC located at the top of the
Pajaro Valley High School campus (500 Harkins Slough Rd). Map. Please
bring water and wear layered work clothes, sturdy shoes, and a sun hat.
We will provide tools, gloves, and a snack. We will be out on the DFG
Ecological Reserve maintaining the restoration sites that we have
revegetated this year. |
WWW at the Strawberry Festival!
 On August 1st and 2nd, the Watch sponsored a booth at the downtown Watsonville Strawberry Festival.
Many
thanks to docents Marcia Burns, Jim Hagan, Nancy Scarborough, Valerie
Stewart, and Linda Youmans who staffed the booth, along with staff
members Kris Beall, Genie Dee, and Kathy Fieberling.
About 400
people stopped by our booth, and staffers enjoyed answering questions
and sharing information. A fun time was had by all! To learn more about
our docent program, click here.
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The "Pacific Garbage Patch"
 The "Pacific Garbage Patch" was the topic of the August 6th docent meeting. Ximena
Waissbluth of the Surfrider Foundation shared distressing news of the
effects of our plastic waste on the oceans and its inhabitants. She
noted that many Americans do not know that plastic is a petroleum-based
product and few of us grasp the scope of plastics use. Of 24
million tons of plastics generated each year, less than 5% is recycled,
according to the CA Waste Management Board. Even more alarming, there
is evidence that plastic is making its way into our food supply. Read more.... |
What is a Northern Harrier?
 According
to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the Northern harrier is "A
long-winged, long-tailed hawk of open grassland and marshes [which]
forages by flying slowly low above the ground looking for small
rodents...the male is white below with a light gray back and hood, the
female is mottled in browns."
Northern harriers are native to the Watsonville wetlands and often seen by birders.
But to the Watch, "Northern Harrier" also has a special meaning. Read more.... | |
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Watsonville Wetlands Watch advocates for wetland issues, educates
elementary, middle, and high school students, restores degraded
habitats, preserves what remains whole, and teaches appreciation for
the unique beauty and life of the Pajaro Valley wetlands. In
cooperation with numerous other agencies, we support studies of and
planning for these sites. |
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